Equine Dentistry at Wingham & Valley Vets

Our Veterinarians have the experience, the expertise and the equipment to perform Equine Dentistry to the highest standard. You know your horse will be in safe hands with us.

Keeping your horse’s mouth healthy with regular, professional Equine Dental Care is critical to their overall comfort and wellbeing. Horses are unique in their dental needs due to their natural grazing habits and the physical demands placed on their mouths during their life.

Only Veterinarians can legally and safely utilise power tools or power floats in your horse’s mouth.

Call 6557 0000

How often should my horse have a Dental float?

Adult horses over 5 years of age are recommended to have an annual dental float.

Horses over 1 year of age and under 5 years of age should have a 6 monthly dental float to identify and correct any emerging issues. An Equine Veterinarian with extra training in Equine Dentistry is the best person to advise you on the individual needs of your horse.

Where can Equine Dentistry be performed?

Our experienced Equine Veterinarians can attend your property with our purpose-built Equine Dentistry mobile crush, which they can set up anywhere, so long is there is some flat ground available.

Alternatively, to save on travel fees you can float your horse to us and they can have their dental in our purpose-built on-site Equine Hospital.

The Natural Wear and Tear of Horse Teeth

Wild horses spend over 18 hours a day chewing rough fibre from grasses and hay.

This constant chewing wears down their teeth at a rate of approximately 2-3 mm per year. To compensate for this natural wear, a horse’s teeth continually erupt through the gums as they age. Our companion horses often experience reduced chewing activity and changes to the normal grinding action of teeth due to alteration in diet as compared to wild horses (more concentrates and processed feedstuffs that don’t wear down the teeth as effectively).

This can lead to the development of sharp edges on their teeth, causing discomfort, ulceration on gums and eating problems. Additionally, horses that are ridden and work in bridles experience additional pressure in their mouths.

Why Regular Veterinary Dental Care is Crucial

Equine dentistry aims to maintain optimal oral health and maximise the comfort and function of the horse’s mouth.

Inaccurate dental work can lead to a range of serious issues including: exposed pulps, tooth loss, bone fractures and abscesses.

To avoid these problems, Equine Dentistry should be performed under sedation by a qualified Veterinarian. This allows for a thorough examination and treatment of the oral cavity and provides a more comfortable experience for your horse. Only registered Veterinarians can legally sedate horses.

Signs Your Horse Might Need a Dental Check-up

- Difficulty eating or chewing, or chewing only on one side

- Dropping feed when eating

- Weight loss

- Behaviour changes such as head tossing or biting, especially while being ridden

What to Expect During a Routine Dental Assessment

When you bring your horse in for a dental check-up, our thorough examination includes:

1. Full Physical Examination: An overall assessment of your horse’s health.

2. External Examination: A seven-point examination of the head to check for changes associated with dental disease.

3. Oral Soft Tissue Assessment: Evaluation of the soft tissues inside the mouth, incisor occlusion, and function, along with a detailed examination for any signs of pathology.

4. Dental Chart: We create a comprehensive dental chart during the visit, which we can email to you for future reference.

5. Floating of the Teeth: We smooth out sharp points, waves and overgrowths. This is done using a combination of an electric power float and hand tools, to provide more acurate and precise treatment to their dental disease. Power tools should legally only be operated by a Veterinarian.

6. Close Examination for Minor Changes: We look for small issues that could escalate into significant problems if left untreated. This includes overgrowths opposite gaps where feed might pack, leading to periodontal disease, and other deviations. Any major dental defects or treatments may not be addressed immediately, however we will formulate a follow-up plan to ensure your horse receives the necessary care.